This Friday the reigning State Champions Olentangy Liberty will take on cross town rival Olentangy Berlin at Patriot Stadium for week four of the varsity football season.
OLENTANGY LIBERTY
The Patriots are yet to win a game thus far, having close back-to-back losses to Glenville and Gahanna Lincoln, alongside a week one loss to division rival Olentangy. Liberty is looking to bounce back from these losses and take down the Berlin Bears.
Three key players to look for on the offense this week will be senior Ben Godwin, Junior Grayson Davis, and Sophomore Mason Miller. Miller has been starting Quarterback, rotating with Junior Alex Leonard and has been showing some potential with his run game. Ben Godwin has been on the rise and will be getting some passes his way in the game. Another player that has been showing some potential is Davis. He has been trying to get the run game to work and it’s showing. The baseball player is using his speed to get yardage and will be running through Berlin’s defense all night.
The defense has also done its job. Three key players to look for on the defense this week include seniors Antonio Kish, Luke Mulder and team captain Carter Kuhn. Kish has been locking down backfields, not allowing deep plays to get behind him. The returning state champion starter, Kish is a key role in the defense and helps keep the score low. Kuhn’s ability to read the offense is impeccable and it helps create pressure on the quarterback. Captain and star Senior linebacker. Luke Mulder will also be a big factor in this one, as he is able to lead the defense through his position and read plays before they even happen.
“[Being a leader] means you are willing to take responsibility for the team and do anything for your teammates,” Kuhn said. “It means you have accepted a new expectation of being the example for others to follow.”
OLENTANGY BERLIN
Similar to Liberty, Berlin is winless up to this point as well. However, they did get the best of the Patriots in their last matchup, resulting in a tight 22-21 victory for the Bears. Berlin has now bested Liberty in their last two meetings and have a shot at getting three in a row this year.
Their biggest offensive threat is Senior Colton Less. Less is a multi-sport athlete, running the court as a point guard in basketball and leading his team in receiving in football. He stands at 6 ft tall and weighs 180 lbs, and specializes in route running. Less is also very shifty. He’s the team’s sole punt returner, ranking 81st in average punt return yards in Ohio just last season. He’ll have quarterback Tyce Dent passing him the rock. Dent has been productive but has struggled to score points. Berlin has averaged just 14.66 points per game thus far, and it most certainly doesn’t help to be matched up against the Liberty defense. If Berlin wants to win this one, their offense has to click fast and find a way to get past the Patriots.
On the other side of the ball, Berlin has Miami (OH) University commit Senior Hudson Aultman. Aultman plays defensive tackle and has been starting for the Bears since his sophomore season. At 6 ft 4 in and 270 lbs, he’s one of the biggest defensive linemen in the Olentangy division and will definitely play a factor in the game. Although Liberty has built a solid offensive line, some of the players are playing just their fourth ever varsity game, meaning that there’s going to be room for improvement. With this being said, Aultman has a serious chance to feast in the backfield. With the Patriots offensive being in what seems to be a rebuilding phase right now, this has potential to be a big night for the Berlin Bears, they just have to play their cards right.
“Berlin’s identity has been about their toughness over the years, and this is a game where that toughness gets put to the test,” Gee Dowlen, manager of 270 Gridiron, a high school football coverage company, said. “They’re going on the road against their rivals and they’re desperate for a win after a rough start.”
OVERALL
This is a game that could really go either way. Both teams have had very similar offensive struggles paired with defensive dominance. Berlin has athletes that’ll certainly be a key factor in this one, but we believe that Liberty’s got this game in the bag.
MADDOX: PATS 21 BEARS 17
ARNAV: PATS 24 BEARS 13
